Honda Civic Type R
Review

Honda Civic Type R | Video Review | CarsIreland.ie

The new Honda Civic Type R has a lighter, stiffer body than before and can reach 100 kmph from standing in just 5.8 seconds, making it the fastest front wheel drive hot hatch around.

“The new Honda Civic Type R has a lighter, stiffer body than before and can reach 100 kmph from standing in just 5.8 seconds, making it the fastest front wheel drive hot hatch around.”

Blisteringly quick

Fantastic handling

Still reasonably practical

91%

Overall Rating

Loud looks will be divisive

Infotainment could be better

Has faster four-wheel-drive rivals

Overall Rating

Overview

While the regular Honda Civic has a friendly, universal appeal with its snazzy styling, and sensible, reliable reputation, the Type R is a different animal altogether. Powered by a 2.0l turbo-charged petrol engine, pushing out 320 bhp, with all that power going solely to the front wheels – this is not a car for the faint-hearted.

It’s loud, in just about every sense of the word – not least in its spaceship like design. If you’re after a car that commands as much attention as its on-the-road stats commands, the Type R might just be the machine for you.

Many of the exterior features that make it stand out do have a function and are not just there for styling purposes. The many holes and gaps around the bonnet and wheels are there to keep things cool and under control at speed and that ironing board wing on the back works to provide some downforce to keep it from taking off if you ever do find somewhere to hit that top speed of 272 kmph.

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Space & Practicality

Under that wing is a very generously sized boot of 420 litres, which is larger than both the Volkswagen Golf R and the Ford Focus RS. It also comes fitted with the handy retractable parcel shelf of the standard Civic which means you don’t need to worry about where to store it if you need to take it out.

The back is also pretty spacious, and there should be no complaints about leg or headroom even from adults, although unlike the regular civic, the Type R is strictly a four seater.

★★★★☆

Equipment & Safety

There’s no mistaking that you’re in something special once you sit in to it. The red Recaro bucket sports seats and lashings of carbon around the dashboard give the game away somewhat, as well as the fantastic little brushed chrome spherical gearstick, placed nice and high for a proper sportscar feel.

For a €2,200 premium you can add the GT pack which will add SatNav, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, a red-line styling pack, wireless phone charging and ambient lighting in the cabin.

The infotainment system, while not terrible, does pale in comparison to rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia RS in terms of graphics and is missing the general wow factor that you get everywhere else in the car.

★★★★☆

Performance & Running Costs

This new Type R has a lighter, stiffer body than the previous one and can reach 100 kmph from standing in just 5.8 seconds, making it the fastest front wheel drive hot hatch around. With a top speed of 272 kmph, and pushing out 320hp with 400nm of torque, it is blisteringly quick.

It’s also a whole lot of power for a front wheel drive car, and to help control that somewhat around corners it’s been fitted with a limited slip-front differential which helps generate more grip at high speed, and a multi-link rear suspension which helps to generate more body control while keeping things reasonably comfortable for the day to day.

That power is sent through a six speed manual transmission with an incredibly smooth gearshift made all the more satisfying by the short throw of the awesome little high-set snooker ball gear lever. You sit really low to the ground for an extra sporty feel and the bucket seats ensure you stay in the one spot when you’re taking turns at speed.

There’s also a drive mode selector which will allow you to switch the feel of the throttle and steering to suit the conditions, and your mood. There’s Comfort for everyday driving, Sport for the more spirited stuff and then R+ which is exactly what you’d expect it to be. Its costs €750 to tax and the claimed fuel economy is 7.7l per 100km – about average for the class and hugely dependant on how you drive it.

What this all adds up to is a lot of fun on the road. This is an unashamed loud and proud hooligan of a car. It’s made for speed, and made to make a statement.

★★★★★

Reliability & Residuals

The catch is it’s not a statement that everyone will be willing to make, and only the brave and the bold will be able to cope with the attention this car demands. Not to mention the starting price of €51,750. But masterpieces don’t come cheap, and in terms of sheer, unadulterated driving pleasure, the Type R is quite simply hard to beat.

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Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives